£ Government turns its back on Families

Inside...

Benefits — How the cuts affect you (page 3)

Action on Town Centres (page 3)

Hope remains for new hospital (page 2)

A message from Ed (page 3)

Meet the team (page 4)

Families across Stockton North will be affected by the devastating cuts announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review. The Coalition has announced the biggest public sector spending cuts in recent history with the loss of 500,000 public sector jobs. Stockton Council will see budgets slashed by around 25% affecting everything from social care to refuse collection; our schools will see cash drained away to the southern shires; the allowance to encourage young people to stay on at school has been axed and the end of the Schools Sports Partnership has cost our schools like Northfield; hundreds of thousands of pounds. Our local Health Service—despite the Government’s claims – has already seen more than 100 people lose their jobs and the NHS faces more pressure as the Government transfers £1billion from health to social care budgets. In addition our Fire Authority, responsible for the highest fire risk area in Europe, has lost 25% of its cash putting both our industry and communities in danger. House building has been halved, new tenants won’t have permanent homes and low earners and others who depend on housing and other benefits will see support slashed. Whilst in Government Labour had no option but to bail out the banks and support the economy to avoid a depression. Governments across the world took similar action to see their countries through the worldwide banking crisis. Yes, many people have struggled during this recession but without Labour’s action, things would have been much worse. The Coalition refuses to acknowledge the real reasons behind the deficit, seeking to pin the blame on Labour rather than the banking crisis. Yes, the deficit must be cut but the Government is taking a huge risk with our economy, hoping to get the worst cuts out of the way before the next General Election. Labour would halve the deficit in four years, seeking to protect jobs and public services. The Coalition have no plans for growth. If they throw people out of work it will cost the country more in terms of the welfare bill and lost tax revenue. Labour is clear that the priority at this time should be jobs. Without a plan to create jobs and growth in our economy, the Coalition is risking a double dip recession.

Industry and Business are critical to the future of our communities and Alex has been working with organisations throughout the area seeking ways to help local businesses as they work to grow and create jobs. “It has been good to see many of the companies which are doing great things despite the recent recession. Companies like IHC who built the world’s largest offshore pipeline laying platform, MSD Biologics – creating pharmaceutical products, United Snacks who make every McCoy’s crisp in the UK, Wynyard Park who have been bringing companies and jobs to the area, and organisations like Sita expanding their energy from waste plant. He is also working with other organisations like the North East Process Industries Cluster (NEPIC) and small business organisations. He is spending lots of time on renewable energy in the hope of seeing the Tees become a major base for wind turbine production. “It is important that our companies and organisations know they have an MP who will work with them, and challenge Government to help them. I hope they will all use me in the interests of our people” said Alex.

Alex in the Pink

Alex joined MPs from across the country to promote Breast Cancer Awareness by dressing up in pink in support of the campaign.

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Government attacked over plans for NHS Health professionals on Teesside are still working hard to try and deliver our new hospital – despite the Tory/LibDem Government decision to stop it after years of planning. Local directors are developing a private finance initiative to build the hospital – without Government cash but it will need support from the new Health Minister. During the General Election campaign, David Cameron called the NHS his ‘number one priority’ - so this decision seemed strange to the people of Teesside. And across the country, there is concern about the way in which our beloved NHS is being treated. The Coalition plans a massive reorganisation, creating a much larger role for private companies. GPs will be asked to handle 80% of NHS spending from 2013, a task many feel ill-

equipped to take on. It is anticipated that many GPs will work in partnership with private firms. GPs want to focus on patient care, not money management, and many are worried about the implications of the Coalition’s plans. Alex has met with some local GPs and they have genuine concerns about the plans and he’ll be stressing them

to the Government in health debates. Even the Coalition has admitted its plans for the NHS will cause ‘significant disruption and loss of jobs’. Are these plans really worth such sacrifices? Many would say not. Meanwhile, around 140 people across Teesside have lost their jobs in the NHS in recent weeks. So much for a protected NHS.

Billingham East— ”thank you”

“It has been my privilege to represent the people of Low Grange, Cowpen and Cowpen Bewley for over 11 years on the Borough Council and I have enjoyed my work with community groups and individuals throughout that time. Thank you everyone for the support you have given me and I know you will continue to support your Labour councillors. Rest assured that I will continue to work hard for you as your Member of Parliament.” - Alex Cunningham

Still fighting for Academy

The need for our schools across the Borough to be redeveloped and in some cases rebuilt still exists and the fight goes on to win vital resources for at least some of the work to go ahead. The programme to improve schools like Northfield and St Michael’s in Billingham and to provide a new building for the North Shore Academy, following the closure of Norton and Blakeston in Stockton, was ditched by the Tory/LibDem government despite claims they would maintain education spending. The cut also affects hundreds more children who attend Grangefield, Bishopsgarth, Ian Ramsey and Our Lady and St Bede’s Schools none of which are now likely to get the planned improvements.

“It is extremely sad that the government decided not just to deprive our children of the better facilities enjoyed elsewhere – but their decision has also cost our area hundreds, perhaps thousands of jobs in the construction and supply industries,” said Alex “Their short-sightedness is damaging to the future of our area.” Alex said the government blamed Labour for the high cost of the project but little of it is now expected to survive. The reality is that our children will have to pay for the failure of the banks and the package which rescued our economy. “Building Schools for the Future would have

revolutionised teaching and learning for generations to come – and it is our children who lose out. It seems such decisions are easy for Tories and their LibDem partners – most of them never needed a state school to learn in.” Stockton Borough Council officers are now working hard to salvage what they can from the programme. Alex will work with them wherever possible.

In Brief Stillington wind farm

Alex has set out to find out the views of every household in Stillington on the plans for wind turbines on the outskirts of the village. He has distributed a letter to almost every home in the area asking local people their views so he can be better informed when he meets the developers and comments on their planning application. The survey is also available on Alex’s website

Barclaycard The planned transfer of hundreds of jobs from Barclaycard to call centre company, Firstsource Solutions sparked real worries for many people in Stockton and Billingham that many jobs could eventually be exported to India. Alex was asked to intervene and met with Unite and both companies to explore what was happening. He was told people transferring would retain their original Barclaycard terms and conditions and if some of the Barclaycard jobs were exported, they would have the opportunity of other roles within Firstsource Solutions.

Equitable Life The Government’s proposals to compensate people who lost due to the Equitable Life fiasco have also led to large numbers of letters. It seems that contrary to the pledge to take strong action, the Tories/LibDems have sewn more confusion but we continue to monitor their proposals.

Civil Service The Civil Service faces huge cuts that will impact directly on the service to local people. Already the local tax office has seen cuts but complaints have fallen on deaf ears. Alex backs the civil service unions who know that their workload is likely to increase in many areas like jobcentres and benefits as the Government’s policies throw more people out of work. He also backs the need for more staff to tackle tax dodgers who cost us billions every year.

NHS Direct A high profile campaign by Labour, backed by hundreds of thousands of people, forced a major U-turn by the Tory and LibDem Government who planned to axe NHS Direct, the telephone advice service used by huge numbers of people. We will be keeping an eye out to ensure they don’t find another way to cut this vital service.

Drop-in session at Bede College Backing action on child poverty

Addressing the Catalyst conference

Backing renewable heat Playing cricket with Billingham youngsters

Promoting cholesterol health checks

Supporting age limits for cigarette & alcohol sales

One of the privileges of being a Member of Parliament is the opportunity to meet and visit lots of organisations and play a small part in promoting them. Over the last six months Alex has visited schools, colleges, community groups and local companies whilst also pledging support for national campaigns covering everything from health promotion to tackling loan sharks – both legal and illegal.

Visiting IHC on the Tees

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Your Labour Team Labour councillors and Party members across the area are helping to ensure you receive the services and support you need. They will be working hard to protect our area in view of the massive cuts imposed by the Government – and Alex will be alongside supporting them.

As the ConDem Coalition cuts start to bite it is clear that the poorest and most vulnerable people will suffer the most. In Stockton Borough this will mean that from 2013, 2200 disabled claimants will start having their Disability Living Allowance (DLA) removed. An average loss of almost £70 a week each. In addition many will also lose extra payments to means tested benefits awarded as a result of receiving DLA and many carers will lose their Carer’s Allowance. From 2011, 3,500 Housing Benefit claimants will lose an average of £9 per week putting their tenancies at risk. Benefits will increase in line with the less generous Consumer Price Index. A number of benefits will be abolished altogether and replaced by a “Universal Credit” and we await further details with interest. And these benefit cuts won’t just affect claimants, as the £33m a year that will be lost from Stockton North will mean less money spent on goods and services and this will

have a major impact on the local economy. We all know there has to be savings but the question is where those cuts should be made. By their actions it is clear that the ConDem Government have made the ideological decision to hit the most vulnerable hardest. The Tories and LibDems are struggling to justify their cuts in child benefit which affects thousands of Teessiders. It is bizarre that one household with £44,000 a year and a stay at home parent can lose thousands yet a household with two working parents earning more than £80,000 can still get it. Whatever people's income, it is families with children who are paying most—through cuts in child tax credit, maternity allowance, child benefit and housing benefit. So much for David Cameron's promise of the most family friendly government ever: instead they are hitting families hard. Let your views be known, write to the Chancellor, The Treasury, 1 Horseguards Road, London SW1A 2HQ.

How benefits are now more vulnerable

Billingham Central ann.mccoy@stockton.gov.uk / 535604 barry.woodhouse@stockton.gov.uk / 371638

Billingham South jean.odonnell@stockton.gov.uk / 559719 michael.smith@stockton.gov.uk / 371782

Billingham East mick.stoker@stockton.gov.uk / 371641

Norton South robert.cook@stockton.gov.uk / 890058 steve.nelson@stockton.gov.uk / 534417

Norton North kathryn.nelson@stockton.gov.uk / 555729 maurice.frankland@stockton.gov.uk / 643443

Norton West patricia.cains@stockton.gov.uk / 555394 cains.r-pa@dial.pipex.com

Stockton Town Centre paul.kirton@stockton.gov.uk / 559331 david.coleman@stockton.gov.uk / 673952

Hardwick elizabeth.nesbitt@stockton.gov.uk / 601731 william.noble@stockton.gov.uk / 671609

Newtown paul.baker@stockton.gov.uk / 608406 robert.gibson@stockton.gov.uk / 614482

Roseworth barbara.inman@stockton.gov.uk / 586564 jim.beall@stockton.gov.uk / 602510

We all know we live in tough economic times, and that some cutbacks to government spending are necessary to reduce the deficit. But the coalition's comprehensive spending review is a reckless gamble. It contains no strategy for job creation and no strategy for growth in our economy. Estimates suggest that under the government’s plans 500,000 public sector jobs could be shed; another 500,000 private sector jobs could follow with the knock-on effect. At a time when the global recovery is still fragile after the shock of recession, that is a dangerous risk to take with people's livelihoods. There is an alternative to the coalition's plans. Labour's plan focuses on growth and jobs, and on a deficit reduction strategy which spreads the burden more fairly and more evenly over four years. It is an approach that understands government has a role to play in supporting British industry, and in supporting the small businesses and entrepreneurs that drive our prosperity. And it is an approach that provides support to hard working people around the country. That is the balanced approach Alan Johnson and I are arguing for. It is a plan at stark odds with the Tory-Lib Dem policy, which rigidly sacrifices fairness and growth at the altar of deficit reduction, in order to advance a political ideology.

Anhydrite Mine Communities in Billingham remain on alert to the plans to bury hazardous waste in the former ICI anhydrite mine. Alex remains concerned that if the mine was reopened for such material to be buried there, it could lead to a series of other applications. Like many in Billingham he remembers the successful fight to ban nuclear waste from the mine 20 years ago.

He recently met with the Environment Agency and is now even more concerned that the Agency, which is responsible for advising the local authority on the application and to decide if the company gets a licence, has its own reservations due to the mine being wet and possible danger to the water course in future.

Alex is extremely keen to campaign against loan sharks, legal and illegal, who prey on the poorest in our society by charging interests rates running as high as several thousand percent— grinding people into the ground. Alex wants to see a strong alternative for local people to access loans at low and fair interest rates by working with others to help develop credit union facilities. “I have seen examples where communities and organisations worked together to create a strong organisation which provides good returns for savers and low interest rates for borrowers and I want the same for our area” said Alex. Having problems with a loan shark and want help? Contact Alex’s office.

Our Town Centres The decline in our two town centres at Stockton and Billingham was one of the main issues raised throughout the General Election campaign – and Alex promised to get directly involved to try and help development.

He is working closely with Stocklands, owners of Billingham town centre and recently pressed them, the Borough Council and another developer, to work closely together to secure a place for Aldi in the town centre. He is also encouraged to see the Stockland master plan get the thumbs up from local people but agrees that we need to see noticeable changes soon.

Alex has been working with the Council on Stockton

town centre to encourage developers and potential shops and companies to come to the town. This work is very much in its infancy but he hopes he can play a role.

Meanwhile, Stockton Council has used its legal powers to take action against the owners of Billingham House and to take steps to demolish the eyesore.

People have been frustrated for a long time with this issue. Unfortunately, as it is privately owned the council had to go through a lengthy legal process to reach the stage where this unsightly blot will finally be removed from the Billingham landscape.

Alex in the Commons speaking up for our community

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A New Generation

University funding is constantly a key issue for young people – and thousands are expected to join the campaign against Government plans which could see annual fees set at £7,000 OR MORE. Lord Browne’s Review has recommended a huge hike in fees which could leave young people with a £21,000 debt after just three years – and that is before they even think about rent or feeding themselves. The Tory led Government backed by the Liberal Democrats seem determined to drive everyone but the well off out of our universities – and will have to face the consequences from young people. Confusion rules in the Coalition – a LibDem Minister is leading the charge against future students despite the fact every one of his MPs signed a pledge promising to oppose ANY increase in fee levels and to pressure the Government to introduce a fairer system. They campaigned in university areas with their student-pleasing opposition to the rise – yet now they are in power, they’re looking for any excuse to back a tripling of the fees.

Labour believes a graduate tax instead, spread over the first 20 years of a person’s career saving them and their families from escalating debt could be the answer. Families and young people may like to write to Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills telling him what they think of his plans and broken promise. A template letter can be found at www.standupforstudents.org.uk

Need help? Get in touch with the team

Alex has a four strong team of staff – three in Stockton and one at Westminster – put together to offer the people of the constituency the best possible service. Bob Cook is constituency office manager, Eileen Johnson is senior caseworker, Dale Quigley is case worker and Emily James is his Westminster based researcher. The team deals with many constituents’ problems every week, ranging from pensions, all types of benefit, CSA, housing, health, crime, social care, planning, tax credits, disability and student issues.

Whatever the issue, Alex and his team are always ready to help any way they can and there are a variety of ways you can get in touch:

Address: Stockton Business Centre,

70 Brunswick Street, Stockton-on-Tees, T18 1DW

Telephone: 01642 345291

Email: alex.cunningham.mp@parliament.uk

Website: www.alexcunninghammp.com

The costs of this newspaper have been met by Unison, the public services union and members of the Labour Party. No public money has been used. Promoted by Bob Cook of 3 Kinderton Grove, Norton. Printed by Elanders Ltd, Merlin Way, North New York Business Park, North Tyneside NE27 0QG.

Come along to one of my surgeries:

Friday 17th December 6pm—8pm—Parkfield Community Centre, Bickersteth Close Friday 14th January 5pm—7pm—Stockton Town Hall Friday 28th January 5pm—7pm—Billingham Community Centre Friday 18th February 5pm—7pm Kiora Hall, Roseworth Friday 4th March 5pm—7pm Stillington Community Centre Friday 25th March 5pm—7pm Newtown Resource Centre, Durham Road Friday 1st April 5pm—7pm Hardwick Community Centre, Wheatley Road

Alex & staff (l-r) Bob Cook, Emily James, Alex, Eileen Johnson & Dale Quigley

Register to vote—It’s easier than you think! Registering to vote gives you a say on important issues that affect you. If you don’t register, you can’t vote! Across the world people have struggled for the right to vote and be part of democracy. It gives you a say on who represents you in your local council, in Parliament and in Europe. Elections can be called at short notice, and if you are not registered you won’t be able to vote. Just request a registration form on 01642 526196.

Citizens Advice Bureau: 01642 607445

Stockton Borough Council: 01642 393939

Direct Gov: direct.gov.uk

Women’s Aid: 0117 944 4411

Community Legal Advice: 0845 345 4 345

The Cabin Youth Advice Service: 01642 649723

Royal British Legion—Poppy Calls: 0800 032 0306

Police: 01642 326326

NHS Direct: 0845 4647

Welfare Rights: 01642 526141

Matthew Lowe

Thomas Hedges

Gemma Cobby

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Or you can get in touch with him via facebook.com/alexcunninghammp

EMA Scrapped!

Young people across our community have lost vital support to help them undergo training and get themselves into work after the Tory/LibDem government axed Labour’s Future Jobs Fund. The last Labour Government recognised that more had to be done to get young people into jobs and introduced a number of initiatives to help. Subsidies which helped them into work have now been withdrawn and there is no news on what the new Government will do to help. In the meantime young people are left without support despite a recognition by all political parties that more needs to be done to help them. This disgraceful cut comes at a time when a joint report by RBS and the Prince’s Trust shows that the cost of excluding young people in this way is costing the country £10 million a day. What a waste of our young people’s talents!

The spending review signalled the end of Education Maintenance Allowance, a much needed payment to college students to cover travel costs and relevant learning material. This will affect many young people at sixth form colleges in our area.

It is to be replaced with more “targeted support” although details are not known.

News for young people written by young people